Numerical Simulation of Sloshing in 2D Rectangular Tanks Based on the Prediction of Free Surface

A finite difference method for analyzing 2D nonlinear sloshing waves in a tank has been developed based on the potential flow theory. After σ-transformation, the free surface is predicted by the kinematic condition, and nonlinear terms are approximated; the governing equation and boundary conditions are discretized to linear equations in the iterative process of time. Simulations of standing waves and sloshing in horizontally excited tanks are presented. The results are compared with analytical and numerical solutions in other literatures, which demonstrate the effectiveness and accuracy of this numerical method. The beating phenomenon of sloshing in the tank with different aspect ratios is studied. The relationship between sloshing force and aspect ratio under the same external excitation is also discussed